Sleep-deprived tourists have been blamed for silencing a historic Italian clocktower by dismayed locals who argue that they cannot slumber without its bells tolling. The centuries-old tower in Pienza, a Renaissance gem south of Siena, will be silent between 10pm and 7am because of complaints made by foreign visitors staying in nearby hotels and bed and breakfast properties.

<p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}">Historically, its bells tolled every 30 minutes, marking the procession of the day and night. Many of the complaints reportedly came from American tourists, who are more likely to be trying to recover from jet-lag than their British and European counterparts.